Hi all, I found this site after some googling and must say it's very informative I am however struggling to find out exactly what I myself need to do to allow my girlfriend of 1 year (+ 2 months and 8 days ) to be able to come and visit me here in the UK for a 2 week holiday. I am aware a letter of invitation is required and proof of my earnings and residence etc. I'm OK with that, I can provide 6 months worth of payslips and my tenancy agreement etc but who do these actually go to? The UK Embassy in London or in Manila? Do I really need to give them bank statements with all my transactions on etc? I'm not saying I have something to hide but I think it's a bit much someone else seeing my bank details. I like most people I know don't receive paper statements anymore so would screenshots suffice? I did try an call the UKBA. I tried the one in Manila first and they just said to call the one in London. The London one didn't allow me to actually speak to anyone and just recommended I e-mailed them and waited up to 21 days for a reply. I have visited her twice already in the Philippines and am planning on living there with her next year. So, we have plenty of photos from this year and last of us being together. I'm obviously happy to pay for her flight and she' very much looking forward to staying in my apartment, its just these details above I'm unsure of. She also mentioned an affidavit, which, in all honesty, I'd never even heard of before. Is this something we need to do in the UK? It sounds a bit like an American thing to me?? If anyone could provide some simple but clear answers it really would be appreciated. When I get a moment I'll post some pics up of the Chocolate Hills and Virgin Island which we visited in May Thanks, Jon.
Hi Jon, Your girlfriend would need to apply for a visit visa at the UK embassy in Manila. These are relatively inexpensive as far as UK visas go but are hard to acquire as the UKBA want to be satisfied that the applicant fully intends to return to the Philippines and not overstay and that the applicant has good reason to return when the visa expires. See the UKBA website below: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/ Would be good to see the pictures of the Chocolate Hills.....and any info that you might have on them.
Hi John, thanks for your reply. Yes sorry, I didn't mention we know she needs to apply through the embassy in Manila. She's already been there for information. Regarding the UKBA site link, I have seen that page and it leads me to here: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/sponsoringavisitor/documents/ which doesn't really say exactly how I go about providing these documents... Where to these docs need to go??
The documents need to be provided by the visa applicant. In other words you need to send them over to your mahal in the Philippines and when she applies, she can present them along with the application form.
Ultimately they should be submitted to VFS, along with fee and filled out application form. They are in Makati. VFS then [pass the application paperwork on to the UKBA. We paid them a visit when I was over there. http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/ http://www.vfs-uk-ph.com/applicationcentre.html#1
Not sure about this. Myth and legend creeps in with this sort of thing. If ever I had a query I always emailed vfs in Makati who were quite helpful. I had the email address of the assistant manager that always responded within 24 hours. Not sure if her address is valid now as it was 2 years ago. Maria Teresa Escueta MariaE@vfsglobal.com
That's great help thanks to both of you I really hope the application is successful, you wouldn't think it was that hard to get into this country judging by all the news on illegal immigrants!
First thing to do is to get a list from the vsf center. If your girl is from makati or manila ukvsf center is located in Pasong Tamo Extention. Not sure if the list can be obtained in their website. Make sure that the documents are well organized when submitted and should be arranged according to the list that the uk vsf will give her. Proof of relationship like sweet pictures, emails, chat logs, cards, picture of gifts or flowers that you sent is her is necessary to prove that your relationship is genuine. Best of luck on your application
Hi Jon, Good luck with your application, let us know how you get on. I have just being through the process with my partner hoping she would be allowed to visit the UK in August so we submitted all the necessary documents ie. photos, emails, chats, proof of previous travel documents, bank statements and everything well organised when we submitted the documents blah, blah, blah and we still got refused
I certainly will let you know how it goes. The embassy in Manila is almost as useless as the one in London. She went to see them today to clear up a few questions (ie. whether an affidavit is required etc) and they didn't even know(!) I have a feeling that we could be making a rod for our own backs if we show them proof of our sweet pictures and time we've spent together - at the end of the day we want to try and prove not only that she wants to come here to see me but that she'll also want to leave me again to go home...
The main complication is the need by the applicant to prove non-immigrant intent. Any applicants wanting to come to the UK under a tourist visit must demonstrate they dont intend to remain in the UK forever. The burden of proof is on the applicant. To grant a temporary visa, the ECO must be satisfy himself that the applicant has strong social, economic and family ties abroad that would ensure that they would leave the UK at the end of the visa time. Unfortunately, in most cases it becomes difficult to overcome this presumption. http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/ http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/general/ http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/visas-immigration/visiting/sponsoringavisitor/ I have sent you a personal message...
I think you are right. Great for a spouse visa or a fiancee visa but not quite so good for a visit visa. That's not to say that you should deny any relationship between you, but playing it down might be the best gambit. Can I ask why you believe an affidavit is required? Also, have you considered further the idea of your gf visiting VFS in Manila?
Yeah I think you're right, thanks for the PM too, I'll check all those off the list... I might even include my application form for the University there...at least that'll prove that I'm going to start living over there next year!
Okay. yes, I think the affidavit sounds like an American thing. My wife swore blind she needed a Red Ribbon stamp in her passport before she left for the UK. It turned out this was indeed an American requirement but she thought she needed one too. What will you be studying?
